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Security Along the Suez Canal

The JOC reported yesterday that Egypt has increased security along the Suez Canal after receiving threats that jihadists were planning attacks along the waterway according to United Press International. It further stated that the army and police have beefed up their presence along the canal and tightened inspections. Security personnel have erected barbed wire and barriers and set up check points, and soldiers have secured building rooftops overlooking the waterway, according to the newspaper.

The extra security measures will remain in effect through today, the end of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.

This news follows on the heels of the attempted attack on the container ship Cosco Asia on August 31st while it was passing through the Suez Canal. The Canal represents a major source of income to the government of Egypt and it is expected that they will do everything possible to provide safety to vessels transiting the waterway. According to the JOC, container ship traffic declined by 4 percent year over year during the second quarter of 2013.

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